Good Fences And Not So Good Neighbors: Property Law 101

Teen Drivers And Liability: What You Need To Know

31 July 2019 by Hunter Moore

Teenagers are among the riskiest categories of drivers when it comes to accidents. Teenagers do not have completely mature neuro activity, which can often lead to difficulty in reacting defensively while driving. This is the primary reason why insuring teenagers is much more expensive. Parents who have teenage drivers on an insurance policy are responsible for any accidents they have. Here are some things you should know before you allow your teen behind the wheel.

There Are No Exceptions

You first should understand there are no special accommodations for teenagers when they get into an accident when they drive. Just like any other licensed driver, teens have to follow all rules and laws. If your teen drives recklessly and gets into an accident, you and your teen are all responsible for any damages as a result.

If your child's accident results in an injury of another person, you can expect to pay for the victim's medical expenses as well as for any property damage. If the accident is severe, you could also have to pay punitive damages in the form of pain and suffering. Your insurance premium is also going to increase as a result of the accident.

Liability Laws

Most all states hold liability laws which require the parent of guardian of a teen driver to be responsible for his or her actions. These laws begin once your teen obtains a driver's license and begins to drive on public roadways.

The only way for parents or guardians to not have liability for their teen driver's actions is if you do not have any full-time contact with the child. You therefore are unable to fully supervise the actions of the teen driver and could potentially avoid liability for the accident. You should check to ensure this is the law in your state, however, before you try to avoid liability.

A Parent's Responsibility

Responsibility and liability are two different concepts when it comes to accidents and teenagers. Parents have the responsibility to help prevent a teenage driver from getting into an accident. While you may not have had anything to do with the actual accident, you are responsible for ensuring your child is capable of driving reasonably. For example, if your child has a problem with driving after the sun goes down and cannot see properly, you have the responsibility of not allowing your teen to drive during those times. You know the risk if you allow your teen to drive when he or she is not able to do so safely.

For more information, contact an auto accident attorney.

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